Arbitration season is upon us. It’s time to find out how much a select group of players believe they are worth compared to what their teams believe they are worth.

Most arbitration-eligible players agree to deals in the 24 hours before the deadline each year, and that was no different this year. However, a handful of cases remain unresolved. Some of those will reach the arbitration phase, which has the potential to get ugly. But most will be settled before the team and player are scheduled state their cases before an independent panel of arbitrators next month.

The big winner in the pre-arbitration process this year was San Francisco Giants right fielder Hunter Pence, who scored a $13.8 million deal for 2013 (his final season before he hits free agency).

While that was a nice chunk of change, it still fell short of historic levels. The most ever requested in arbitration: Roger Clemens at $22 million in 2005; The most ever offered: $17 million to Tim Lincecum in 2012; The most ever awarded: $15.5 million to Prince Fielder in 2011.

San Diego Padres 3B Chase Headley

Requested: $10.3 million

Offered: $7.075 million

2012 salary: $3.475 million

His case: Finally fulfilling the lofty expectations that have followed him since his minor league days, Headley led the NL with 115 RBIs and placed fifth in the NL MVP voting. Among his other career highs established in 2012: 31 homers, .286 batting average, .376 on-base percentage, .498 slugging percentage.

Prediction: This case won’t make it before the arbitrators because the new ownership group will reward its budding superstar with a massive contract extension.

Detroit Tigers SP Max Scherzer

Requested: $7.4 million

Offered: $6.05 million

2012 salary: $3.75 million

His case: Scherzer won a career-best 16 games last season and finished second in the majors with 231 strikeouts, despite pitching 50 2/3 fewer innings than leader Justin Verlander. His 11.1 K/9 led the majors. Scherzer returned from late-season shoulder discomfort to pitch extremely well in the postseason (2.08 ERA, 26 strikeouts in 17 1/3 innings) and is a legitimate ace.

Prediction: This is another situation that could end in an extension (if there is money left after Anibal Sanchez and before Justin Verlander); if not, expect Scherzer to land a one-year, $7 million contract.

Baltimore Orioles closer Jim Johnson

Requested: $7.1 million

Offered: $5.7 million

2012 salary: $2.625 million

His case: On the heels of his breakout 2011 season in which he excelled in a setup role, Johnson led the majors with 51 saves in 2012. His 1.019 WHIP was a career best, and he anchored a bullpen that was hugely responsible for the team’s 29-9 record in one-run games and 16-2 record in extra-inning games. It all resulted in his first All-Star nod and the AL Rolaids Relief Award.

Prediction: The Orioles are all about getting deals done (see: Buck Showalter, Dan Duquette); Johnson should strike a deal for about $6.5 million.

St. Louis Cardinals 3B David Freese

Requested: $3.75 million

Offered: $2.4 million

2012 salary: $508,000

His case: The 2011 World Series MVP played in a career-high 144 games last season, shedding his fragile label. Freese also had career bests in homers (20), RBIs (79) and OPS (.839). Among all major league third basemen, he finished in the top five in batting average (.293) and on-base percentage (.372).

Prediction: His durability no longer in serious doubt, it is time for the team to lock Freese up with a three-year deal.

Cincinnati Reds CF Shin-Soo Choo

Requested: $8 million

Offered: $6.75 million

2012 salary: $4.9 million

His case: Once again quietly effective, Choo bounced back from an injury-marred 2011 season to hit .283/.373/.441 with 16 homers, 67 RBIs, 88 runs and 21 stolen bases in 155 games in a dreadful Cleveland Indians offense. Moving to hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park and to a much more potent lineup should allow Choo to approach his 2009-2010 production (21 homers, 88 RBIs, .300/.397/.486 slash line).

Prediction: The last thing the Reds want to do is battle their newly-acquired and newly-anointed center fielder. Expect them to meet in the middle and close this manageable gap.